Category Archive: Trout

The great sucker spawn of 2017 is officially going down right now on the Guadalupe River. Grab those eggs, tie up some rigs and head down there ASAP. Be sure to grab your wading staff though, flows are at 600CFS and will easily knock even the most surefooted of us off balance with ease!

On the hour and a half drive from Austin to Castell, TX i noticed that i seemed to be throttling the steering wheel with an increasingly tight grip, eager in anticipation for the fishing possibility that laid at the end of this seemingly endless stream of asphalt. This was after all a spot that offered up trout in the double digits in years past, being as they were, uneducated and farm raised trout, naive enough to swallow almost any threaded concoction that crossed their path. Oh the sweet memories of cast and take on the beautiful Llano.

The Llano river flowing through Castell, TX is just as dramatic and scenic as any stretch of the Llano, replete as it is with well worn limestone, sand bars, shallow riffles and deep well worn holes that hosts a variety of species during the warmer months. Twice during the winter though it is a heavenly repository to a small amount of TPWD (Texas Park and Wildlife) stocked trout that temporarily turn this warm water fishery into a rainbow trout run that is not only challenging but also a visually stunning testament to the unbridled scenery that is the Texas Hill Country.

Running into a fellow fly fisherman, we struck up a conversation that included all the key points that fellow anglers usually discuss, flows, weather, and what is or isn’t working. In a wonderfully kind gesture however, the gentleman offered me one of his hand tied flies to try, a fly that was honestly quite beautiful in its simplicity. Parting ways, i strode from rock to rock with well selected care, my feet hardly protected from needles and abrasion due to the fact that it was eighty degrees and i was wet wading with nothing more than Chacos providing the most shallow of protection between sharp things and my already cracked and cut feet.

It was a far cry from days of yore, in fact it was a major victory when i eventually enticed one especially gullible trout to go for a nymph just about the size of a clipped nail. Still, it was an incredible feeling to be on “trout waters” so remote, beautiful and far away from the throngs of well intentioned anglers that lately have overpopulated the Guadalupe.

Sure the TPWD stocked trout are significantly smaller than the GRTU stocked fish on the Guadalupe, but one can easily downsize to a 2-3WT (or a light Tenkara) and experience some wonderfully playful moments in some of the most scenic waters and scenery that Texas has to offer.

Note: TPWD was scheduled to re-stock the Llano with trout yesterday (01/12/17) and though i was there from 12-2PM i never saw a tanking truck. I assume they stocked it later, but if you have any information please leave a comment to this post!

TPWD Stocking Trout on the Guadalupe NOW!

It’s that time again everyone! Grab your dry flies and midges, dust off the thermal underwear and air out your waders before heading out to the southernmost trout waters located near Sattler, TX. This year Texas State Parks is once again stocking the Guadalupe River each week from now until the end of January and providing free access at five participating locals along the river.

After taking a year off, the Guadalupe Trout Unlimited chapter is bringing back the annual Troutfest. This year finds the festivity relocating to the Lazy L&L campgrounds (secretly my favorite spot on this stretch of the water) from February the 17th thru the 19th.

Whether you’ve just taken up fly fishing or are a seasoned veteran, this event is a great way to learn new skills, try out gear, or simply catch up with fellow anglers from all across Texas.

For more details on the event or volunteer to help make it the best year ever, visit the GRTU Toutfest site.

Barton Creek at Lost Creek

Pedernales River at Johnson City

Colorado River at Bastrop

Guadalupe River at Sattler

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Die Fische is a fly fishing blog based out of Austin, Texas. We love exploring our city, the Hill Country, Central Texas and beyond and sharing those adventures with you.
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